Fungi Flashcards
Chapter 1
What are fungi?
Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that include microorganisms such as yeasts, molds, and mushrooms.
What is the cell wall of fungi made of?
Chitin and polysaccharides.
What is a mycelium?
A mesh-like structure formed by thread-like structures called hyphae.
What is the role of mycelium?
It helps fungi absorb nutrients from their environment.
What is the protoplast in fungi?
The contents within the fungal cell wall, including the cell membrane, cytoplasm, organelles, and nuclei.
How do fungi store food?
Fungi store food in the form of starch.
How is Kingdom Fungi classified based on nutrition?
-Saprophytic: Feed on dead organic matter (e.g., Rhizopus, Penicillium).
-Parasitic: Feed on living hosts (e.g., Taphrina, Puccinia).
-Symbiotic: Mutually beneficial relationships (e.g., lichens, mycorrhiza).
What are Chytridiomycota?
Primitive fungi with chitin in their cell walls, often unicellular, and found in aquatic environments. Example: Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.
What is the structure of chytrid hyphae?
They are often coenocytic (without septa).
What distinguishes chytrids from other fungi?
What distinguishes chytrids from other fungi?
What is a zygospore?
A diploid spore produced by Zygomycota during sexual reproduction.
How do Zygomycota reproduce asexually?
By forming sporangiospores in sporangia.
What structure characterizes Ascomycota fungi?
Ascus, a sac-like structure containing ascospores. (e.g., Saccharomyces).
How do Ascomycota reproduce sexually?
Through the formation of ascospores inside an ascus within a fruiting body called an ascocarp
Which fungi are used to produce antibiotics like penicillin?
Ascomycota (Penicillium).
